Materials scientists
SOC Code: 19-2032Also known as:
Applications Scientist, Material Science Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Materials Scientist, Metal Alloy Scientist
Median Annual Salary
$104,160
+4.9% growth (2024-2034)
600
Openings/Year
9K
Current Jobs
What Materials scientists Do
Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.
💰 Salary
$104,160
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+4.9%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
600
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
8,700
Projected Employment (2034)
9,100
Related Careers
Chemical engineers
$121,860 •
+2.6% growth
Industrial engineers
$101,140 •
+11.0% growth
Materials engineers
$108,310 •
+5.7% growth
Engineers, all other
$117,750 •
+2.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Science
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
- Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
- Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
- Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
- Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
- Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
- Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
- Supervise and monitor production processes to ensure efficient use of equipment, timely changes to specifications, and project completion within time frame and budget.
- Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
- Perform experiments and computer modeling to study the nature, structure, and physical and chemical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Materials scientists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a materials scientists:
Materials Science
624 degrees awarded •
52 colleges offer this program
Materials Chemistry
16 degrees awarded •
6 colleges offer this program
Materials Sciences, Other
10 degrees awarded •
3 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Materials scientists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become materials scientists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do materials scientists make?
The median annual salary for materials scientists is $104,160.
What education do materials scientists need?
Most materials scientists positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Materials Science, Materials Chemistry, Materials Sciences, Other.
Is becoming materials scientists a good career choice?
Materials scientists is projected to see +4.9% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 600 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for materials scientists?
Top colleges for aspiring materials scientists include
University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, University of California-Santa Barbara, Columbia University in the City of New York.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to materials scientists?
Materials scientists may also be known as: Applications Scientist, Material Science Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Materials Scientist, Metal Alloy Scientist, Metallurgical Engineer, Metallurgist, Micro Electrical/Mechanical Systems Device Scientist (MEMS Device Scientist), Plastics Scientist, Polymer Materials Consultant, Polymer Specialist, R and D Scientist (Research and Development Scientist), Research Development Specialist, Research Scientist, Scientist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.